Happy 90th birthday to my beautiful Grandma Fernith!
She's hardworking, loving, kind, & generous. Even into her eighties, she could outwork most of us grandkids. My uncle finally hid the chainsaw to keep her from trimming the trees (this was just a couple years ago). As a child, I loved spending the night in her home. There was always chocolate in the drawers and fun 50's teen novels to read (from her days as a school teacher). I loved her beautiful blue jars in the window sills and warm plums from her backyard trees. My cousins that lived near her really worked hard, but I think I got off easy (sorry!!).
Best of all, is when she would tell us about meeting grandpa. She was a local Arizona girl. He was a handsome Italian boy from Boston. Below is one of my favorite pictures of him (he's in the middle). I LOVE the white shoes and sunglasses.
They met at a USO dance in Arizona while he was in Arizona for desert training. She was wearing a beautiful black dress with fringe that swayed when she danced. He was in his army uniform. She caught his eye; he walked around her once, and they feel in love. That night he told her that she was the girl he was going to marry.
Soon after, grandpa was sent back to the east coast for more training. He got a furlough for eight days and they arranged to meet. Grandma traveled on a train by herself from Arizona to Chicago where she met her handsome Italian. They called the mission home and asked to be married. A young missionary by the name of Marion D. Hanks was a witness.
Soon after, grandpa's unit was sent overseas where he served as a medic. Grandma stayed home, anxiously waiting for letters and listening to the radio for news. It was a surprise when she received a call that Grandpa had been baptized at a stopover in Hawaii. He had waited to tell her that he had been studying the church until he had a testimony.
I love them both dearly and am so grateful for the influence they have been in my life. Grandpa passed away before I was born, but I feel like I have always known him. They truly had a great and real love for one another. This love continues to bless our family. Thanks grandma & grandpa!
